Australian Grand Prix Rider Lisa Martin Severely Injured in Riding Accident

Dressage

Australia

Australian Grand Prix rider Lisa Martin has injured herself severely in a horse riding accident two weeks ago, which will leave her hospitalized for several months.

The 47-year old Martin competes at international Grand Prix level in Australia, but is also a Paralympian.

Paralympian and Able Bodied

Born into a family of Australian Stock Horse breeders, Lisa has competed in eventing, polocrosse, showjumping and dressage, before a fall in a horse riding accident in 2000 left her with a split fibula. Another fall six weeks later caused even further damage to her leg. Two years and 20 operations later, Lisa learned to walk again, but as a result of having her ankle fused, she has less than 15 per cent movement in her ankle joint.

In 2007 she began competing again and was offered the opportunity to also ride in the paralympic classes. She represented Australia at the 2016 Rio Paralympics and finished fourth, just off the podium, twice in Grade IV.

After Rio she returned to the show ring in 2018 in the able bodied division, making her Grand Prix debut on her paralympic horse First Famous (by Fidertanz x Rubiloh). In 2019 she competed at only one international, the paralympic CPEDI3* in Sydney, riding In Time (by Royal Diamond x Donnerhall) at Grade V level and winning both classes.

Riding Accident

Two weeks ago Martin was squashed by her horse when a horse stumbled backwards over the edge of the arena and fell directly on top of her.

She was transported to the John Hunter Hospital trauma ward in New Lambton Height, NSW, where she was diagnosed with multiple fractures in her pelvis, public bone and spine.

She has been transported to Maitland Private where she is currently in recovery. She will not be able to walk for six weeks.

"I will be in the hospital for several months and many months unable to ride," Martin told Eurodressage. "My horses will not be worked for the nine months till I am allowed to ride. My family is looking after the animals while I am recovering."